Loan originations at credit unions hit the highest-ever volume recorded in Q1, according to analysis by Callahan & Associates and based on 7,000 credit unions' data.

Ex-WesCorp ExecBurrell Settles With NCUA:LOS ANGELES-NCUA last week signed a settlement deal with Robert Burrell, the chief investment officer of WesCorp FCU prior to the collapse of the one-time $34-billion corporate. Terms of the settlement were not disclosed. NCUA is not expected to receive any financial compensation, but has reached an agreement to ban Burrell from CUs, similar to the deal reached with former WesCorp executive Timothy Sidley, who was the corporate's chief risk officer. Both Burrell and NCUA have agreed to pay their own legal expenses and to drop all counterclaims related to the spectacular corporate failure.Filene Rolls Out Credit CardPilot On Amazon.comMADISON, Wis.-The Filene Research Institute has rolled out a pilot program in which CUs can offer credit cards online through Amazon.com's Credit Central storefront. CUs are being charged a one-time fee by Filene, based on assets, to participate for one year in the pilot. Shoppers at Amazon.com will see online banner ads for credit cards that can be clicked on for more info; Amazon.com is providing ZIP code search capability. Shoppers that purchase cards online will be able to review their experience online, similar to other Amazon.com purchases.'Responsible Banking' Proposal OKdPORTLAND, Ore.-The Portland City Commission last week approved a "responsible banking" proposal to deposit city funds in local credit unions and banks, the second major West Coast city to pass a local banking initiative in the past week. Portland's Responsible Banking Resolution calls for depositing $250,000 of the city's money in each of 10 Oregon banks and CUs. The initiative will change Portland's current investment policy, which blocks investments in CUs. Los Angeles earlier passed a similar ordinance this week.Ariz., Colo., Wyo. Foundations MergeDENVER-Three state CU foundations have merged. The Arizona, Colorado and Wyoming leagues, which already operate under a joint league structure as the Mountain West Credit Union Association, have merged their respective foundations, to be known as the Mountain West CU Foundation.CUNA Mutual Retirees' Suit RejectedWASHINGTON-The Supreme Court has rejected a request by a group of former CUNA Mutual Group employees for appeal of a lower court ruling that said the credit union insurer was within its rights to cancel payments on the retirees' healthcare costs. The lower court, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, ruled last year that CUNA Mutual did not violate provisions of the Employee Retirement and Income Security Act, known as ERISA, when it stopped paying retiree healthcare costs in 2008, including to non-union employees who had agreed to trade their accrued unused sick leave to cover their portion. The change in retirees' healthcare policy allowed CUNA Mutual to book a $120-million gain in 2008 by removing this big liability from its books.CUES Calls For NominationsMADISON, Wis.-The Credit Union Executives Society (CUES) is calling for nominations for its 2012 CUES Next Top Credit Union Exec competition. Offered through a partnership with DDJ Myers, the contest is seeking emerging leaders 35 and under from within the credit union community. Several changes have been made to the program this year, including eliminating geographic areas as a criterion for finalists. Now, the 15 applicants with the most public votes will go straight to the finalist stage. All 15 will also receive executive coaching sessions from DDJ Myers. The five finalists will also receive airfare, accommodations and registration to CUES' CEO/Exeutive Team Network Nov. 4-7 in Manalapan, Fla. Deadline for nominations is June 15. For info: www.ntcue.com.ATFCU Launches Mobile Bill PayALCOA, Tenn.-Alcoa Tenn FCU last week became the first to launch PSCU's Mobile Bill Pay, a new service that allows existing PayLynx Bill Pay users to make one-time payments, manage pending payments and view payment history using their mobile devices. After an initial roll-out the credit union plans to launch TV commercials on its mobile offering at the beginning of the summer.OH CUs Make $133.2M In MBLsCOLUMBUS, Ohio-Ohio's CUs made $133.2 million in member business loans during 2011, a 23.7% increase over 2010, according to data released by the Ohio league. The OCUL said 105 of the state's 377 CUs reported outstanding business loan balances, representing a total of $430.5 million in outstanding balances statewide.CU Centers, CO-OP Financial Team UpINDIANAPOLIS-Credit Union Centers said it is expanding beyond its shared branch network and will begin offering credit unions delivery channel products and services through a partnership with CO-OP Financial.Western FCU Signs With cuautocouponMANHATTAN BEACH, Calif.-Western FCU has signed with cuautocoupon to offer its members coupons toward an auto purchase. cuautocoupon said it pairs car-hunting members with their individual CU's lending department. Members fill out a short online form and are given immediate access to a coupon that can be redeemed at a local participating dealership. This coupon will entitle the member to receive special discounts off the vehicle purchase price.

If online and mobile channels are so crucially important, why don't credit unions spend the money to reflect that?

Alliance Opens Cashless Branch

Online account opening has a strong future, but it's not there yet-and it's the primary reason the physical branch will have a robust role well into the near future, according to Scott Hodgins, research director for Cornerstone Advisors.

In a time most financial institutions are hesitant to open so much as one new branch, $130-million Community First Credit Union has found success opening three "smart offices" in the heart of California's wine country.

Most credit unions hang their hat on delivering great service to their members. But Partners FCU has the daunting task of pleasing The Walt Disney Co., known worldwide for going the extra mile to knock the socks off its customers.

Advances in touch-screen technology, video analytics and biometrics are all being put to use to craft the next generation of branch banking.

In spite of long term investments in alternative service delivery channels, the cost of serving members is not declining, and the traditional bricks-and-mortar branch will remain a key channel well into the near future.

Education First CU has launched what it believes to be the nation's smallest full-service credit union branch.

PIERRE, S.D.-The South Dakota Supreme Court said last week a borrower cannot sue her credit union for failing to make sure her home was covered by flood insurance.

Suffolk Federal Credit Union is supporting the local Girl Scouts, and the $900-million CU is doing a lot more than buying their cookies.

A group of Wall Street banks and rating agencies told a federal court that "greed" and the need to grow earnings were responsible for the 2009 demise of the one-time $2.4-billion Eastern Financial Florida CU.

Kern Schools Chooses Alloya CorpBAKERSFIELD, Calif.-Kern Schools FCU has chosen Alloya Corporate FCU to be its new corporate. Kern Schools serves 170,000 members and has $1.3 billion in assets.For info: www.alloyacorp.orgCoopera, CUANY Offer Growth StrategyDES MOINES, Iowa-The CU Association of New York and Coopera are collaborating on a Hispanic Member Growth Strategy program.For info: www.cuany.org or www.cooperaconsulting.comPSCU Named One Of Top WorkplacesST. PETERSBURG, Fla.-PSCU was named as one of the best places to work by Workplace Dynamics, which conducts annual employee surveys for companies headquartered in the Tampa Bay area and creates rankings of small-, medium- and large-sized companies from employees' responses.For info: www.pscu.comSix CUs Renew With TMGDES MOINES, Iowa-The Members Group said it has renewed credit, debit and PIN processing contracts with six credit unions: Premier America CU, Chatsworth, Calif.; IH Mississippi Valley CU, Moline, Ill.; Deere Employees CU, Moline, Ill.; Embarrass Vermillion FCU, Aurora, Minn.; Mile High FCU, Butte, Mont.; and, University of Iowa Community CU, Iowa City, Iowa.For info: www.themembersgroup.comCU Students Choice Hosts WebinarWASHINGTON-Credit Union Student Choice and its 200-plus partner CUs recently offered a free national webinar to nearly 500 attendees to help families decode the lingo of financial aid award letters and make informed financial decisions about the costs of college.For info: www.studentchoice.orgBusiness Partners Unveils Audit ResultsCHATSWORTH, Calif.-Business Partners, LLC, which is owned by 17 financial institutions located throughout the country, announced audited financial results for 2011, with highlights including equity at $7,741,061 (28.1% of total assets) and cash and CD investment liquidity at $6,825,272 (24.8%) on total assets of $27,533,333. Profitability continued for the 8th straight year with net income at $1,034,017 (13.3% ROE and 3.8% ROA).For info: www.businesspartnersllc.comWeber Opens Office In VancouverSEATTLE-Branding and strategic consulting agency Weber Marketing Group, which has worked with Canadian credit unions for 10 years, officially expanded into Canada with the opening of a new office in Vancouver, B.C., on May 1.For info: www.webermarketing.comVisit www.cujournal.com today!

Michigan's credit unions have kicked off a $3.3-million media campaign that features TV and radio spots, social media initiatives and a chance to win a $10,000 prize.

WASHINGTON-Long-term mortgage rates declined for the third straight week to new lows, amid record mortgage lending for credit unions.

The quality of proactive engagement is what drives revenue growth for credit unions, according to Bob Tramontano, VP of financial industry marketing for NCR.

At NACUSO's recent Annual Conference, Credit Union Journal asked attendees what lessons their CUSOs learned from the recession.

Columbia CU, Vancouver, Wash., hired Chuck Crider as AVP branch manager of the Riverstone office.

Subprime Loans Rebound